Is the carbohydrate antigen Ca 19.9 useful in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma?
Santander, C.; Jiménez, I.; Martín, E.; Melón, A.; Pajares, J.M.
Revista Espanola de Enfermedades Digestivas Organo Oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Patologia Digestiva 86(5): 819-821
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 1130-0108 PMID: 7848693 Document Number: 437245
To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the tumor marker Ca 19.9 in subjects with suspected pancreatic cancer. Levels of Ca 19.9 antigen were measured by enzymeimmunoassay during a 3 year period to 72 patients investigated for suspected pancreatic cancer. A threshold of 100 U/ml resulted in sensitivity of 94.7%, specificity of 39.6%, positive predictive value of 36% and negative predictive value of 95.4%. Levels of Ca 19.9 antigen > 100 U/ml are suggestive of malignancy in patients investigated for suspected pancreatic cancer.